The Hospitality Of The Church
Mood swings are common to us all, but for some, it’s pretty extreme.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I’m thinking of my friend Jessica who’s a bright young college student up in Santa Barbara. Even though this young woman has maintained a high grade-point average, it’s not been easy. She works extremely hard at it. Proof of that is that she’s still a sophomore, even though she should have graduated two years ago. Now, here’s the thing about Jessica: it’s not like she’s a slow student. Like I said, she’s bright; she’s intelligent. She grasps concepts quickly, and her mind is as sharp as a tack. But, her mind and emotions are also influenced by bipolar disorder. When Jessica stays on her medication, things go pretty smoothly; she can study and stay focused. But, bipolar medication has some very strong side effects and, after a while, it can wear out my young friend. While switching medication, she can easily slip into depression, forget her studies. And that, in turn, causes Jessica to fall behind in class. Please do not fault this young woman for her bipolar disorder and the impact it has on her ability to study and pursue a degree. She may struggle, but she’s persevering – and part of that is because she has a supportive family and a good church.
Now, all of us have mood swings now and then. But, overall, our moods pretty much stay roughly the same throughout our lives. But that is not true for all people. When you have bipolar disorder, mood swings can be so extreme, as well as frequent. And the shift in mood can happen, for no particular reason – a person who deals with bipolar disorder can be manically happy one minute and then suicidally depressed the next. So, what is the best way Christians can respond to those with bipolar disorder? Well, Romans chapter 12 calls every Christian to be hospitable, reflecting the graciousness of God to those who are weak. It means the church is called to be the most hospitable of all institutions. What does it say about Christ if Christians are cold and rejecting, skeptical, dismissive of people with bipolar disorder? The church is to be the greatest of all guesthouses, a place of healing for those who have sin-sick souls, as well as bodies. The church is much more than just some sort of community social work for suffering people. Oh, sure, yeah, it involves risk and a little discomfort, but there are practical answers, especially for pastors and Christian leaders who are called to minister to people like Jessica. Because friends like Jessica won’t find hope in bureaucratic institutions, or service providers, or in offices of secular psychiatrists. Real and lasting hope can only be found in the pages of God’s Word and among God’s people.
But where do pastors get started? Well, the team at Joni and Friends would like to help. One of our associates has written an excellent book called “Suffering in 3-D: Connecting the Church to Disease, Disability and Disorder.” And I want Christian leaders to apply biblical wisdom when counseling different people struggling with problems like bipolar disorder. So, if you are a pastor and believe this would help you, visit Joniradio.org and ask for your free copy of “Suffering in 3-D.” Now, we only have a limited supply, so this offer is just for pastors. While copies last, ask for your free book today at Joniradio.org. And then? Set your church free to be the greatest of all places of healing for people like Jessica; people who need help and hope from the pages of God’s Word. See you later at Joniradio.org
© Joni and Friends
Suffering in 3-D: Connecting the Church to Disease, Disability, and Disorder
Suffering in 3-D, by Dr. John Kwasny, is a book to guide and encourage ordinary believers to get practically involved in meaningful relational ministry to all who are suffering. The church is called not merely to tolerate or endure sufferers in its midst, but to welcome, pursue, and embrace them as full members of the body of Christ. As you work through this book, you will be guided and inspired to engage in a holistic and practical ministry to those who suffer with disease, disability, and disorder.
